In the Long Run

Our doorbell has been broken for several months. My husband attempted to fix it, but concluded that the wiring would be too intricate and extensive. So we decided to make our first trip to the brand new Home Depot in town to find a suitable replacement.

We found the aisle that contained several models of wireless musical chime doorbells, ranging in price from about twenty bucks to over $100. The doorbell display included a push-button demo panel of all the doorbell chimes. One of the more expensive models was encased in a lovely cherry wood finish box, with the traditional Westminster chime, similar to a Grandfather clock. I was surprised that my husband picked that model, because I didn’t think he would possibly care about the looks of the appliance. After all, it would be virtually out of sight high up on the wall in the hall. The previous housing for the now broken electric doorbell had just been no-nonsense cream-colored plastic, and I don’t think he once uttered any objections to its lack of chic.

I was surprised by our role reversal when I was attracted to a model that cost much less, and would never win awards for style. But oh my! My model had a 48 musical chime song list! There were tunes ranging from frivolous to festive, from somber to silly to sweet. There were holiday songs, patriotic songs, religious songs, sports songs, and classical pieces. There was even a “knock on door” sound, and a “barking dog” (that one I’d never use—we already have the live version in the neighbors’ dogs.)

“Oh, the possibilities!” I reveled. When Big Guy’s friends come over, we could use “Hail! Hail! The Gang’s All Here”, or the “Sports Charge”. If a door-to-door solicitor comes, we could greet him with “La Cucaracha”. How about “On Top of Old Smoky” as a blunt message to nicotine-addicted acquaintances? And if we were ever to have a Jewish Bar Mitzvah celebration at our house, we could use “Ha Va Naglia”. My husband was amused at my enthusiasm, and willingly bought my new toy and installed it.

So let me know when you’re coming over. I’ll select a door chime to match your personality, or the occasion—whatever you choose. Right now I’ve got to go change it for Big Guy, who has just finished the 4-day run of the high school musical. I’m thinking, “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.”

Posted by Cyppy at 10:30 PM